Broncos Beat Buccaneers, Clinch AFC West Title

Dustin Bradford/Getty Images(DENVER) — Peyton Manning threw three touchdown passes to lead the Denver Broncos to a 31-23 AFC West clinching victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Manning threw three touchdown passes for the seventh time this year, including one to defensive tackle Mitch Unrein. He also broke the Broncos single season record for touchdown passes in a regular season with 29 through 12 games.

Demaryius Thomas caught eight passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns as the team improved to 9-3 this season.

Linebacker Von Miller intercepted a Josh Freeman pass and returned it 26 yards for his first career touchdown.

The Buccaneers had a 10-7 lead at halftime but allowed the Broncos to score three times in the third and never recovered. They fell to 6-6 and with the loss the Atlanta Falcons have clinched the NFC South title.

The Broncos defense did a great job in holding rookie running back Doug Martin to just 56 yards on 18 carries.